The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-11-10


the answers we received from some
and the failure to receive answers from
others do not indicate an effective san
tinary system in this State. In sub.
stance the great majority of responses
amount to this: "We have now
given thorough cleaning up to our
place, including backyards alleys,
privies, etc, and have scattered lime
in doubtful places" Allowing credit
for this as far as it goes, we must add
that such reports are entirely worth
less unless it is stated how often the
process is repeated, and what is done
with the filth when removed. TO
clean a town once or twice year, or
only when danger of an epidemic is
apprehended, is little better than
nothing, or even worse than nothing
in some cases where the refuse is de-
posted near enough centers OF popu-
lation to endanger health. In this
latter case-ahd we are satisfied it is
not imaginary one-the danger is not
removed, but intensified by concen-
tration.
Moreover, the best municipal ordin-
ances are practically null unless they
are enforced by constant inspection
made by paid agents who are held
responsible for the daily exercise of
their functions. An officer who is
not paid cannot be made responsible,
The two cities of Nashville and Mem
phis alone report many such provisions
as this, and we feel justified IN saying
that, as a provision against ordinary
epidemics and diseases, they are ad-
mirable. We only desire to call their
attention to two considerations. Both
those cities are growing rapidly, and
, are constantly adding suburbs on
their outskirts, over which existing
sanitation needs to be extended. On
this head we will only say that you
can't have healthy city with sickly
suburbs the last great epidemic al
Memphis is a conclusive proof Of this
: Then, as to the disposal Of the re
fuse, the method adopted is to dunn
it into the middle Of the river at {
point below the city. / becomes {
momentous question how far below
the city, or whether population eX
: tends farther down stream than tht
dumping point.
y These considerations may be con
sidered sufficient for general santa
ton, apart from cholera, but the pc
culiar mode Of propagation character
istic of cholera suggests doubts of al
= the existing methods where that dis
ease is in question. Repeating on
. statement that cholera is chiefly prop
agated by the diffusion of its germ
in water, there appear serious ground
= for alarm when it is proposed to pol
lutte our navigable streams with tn
- choleraic dejections of whole cities
Boiling and burning are the only en-
, tirely reliable modes OF disinfectior
" and where this cannot be done, the
" should be thoroughly mixed wit
some germ.destroying agent an
buried deep, with layer of fres1
=" earth thrown over them. The mos
efficient disinfectants of this class al
=" corrosive Subhmate, chloride of zin,
cdrbolic acid and boric acid, but non
20 OF them should be relied on whe1
" " burning or boiling can be resorted t.
" =, 1t will be said that the poor are
: many instances unable to put thes
~ precepts in practice this is quite tru
- :, and they must be Systematically aide
y, by the rich not only charity, but sci
= protection call imperatively for thi
or we must repeat there is no safet,
- for the districts inhabited by Il
- wealthy when in the near vicinity {
- = slums and suburbs reeking with fit